Apparatus for squat exercise

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for squat exercise has a base, a fixed tube, a movable tube, a seat, a shell, two surrounding pillars, two fixing pillars, and at least one elastic rope. The fixed tube is mounted on the base. The movable tube is mounted around the fixed tube, and has an abutting portion formed on an outer surface of the movable tube. The seat is mounted at a top end of the movable tube. The shell has a bottom end mounted on the base. The two surrounding pillars are mounted on the inner surface of the shell. The two fixing pillars are mounted on the inner surface of the shell. The at least one elastic rope has two ends respectively fixed to the two fixing pillars, and the at least one elastic rope is wound on and abuts the two surrounding pillars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to fitness equipment, and more particularly, an apparatus for squat exercise that can assist users with squatting.

2. Description of Related Art

In physical training and fitness, squat is a body exercise that can be operated in two ways, including:

1. Stand firmly and then squat directly. This may cause knee injury to the beginner due to incorrect posture or lack of muscle strength, or the beginner may even fall to the ground due to instability, causing more serious injuries.

2. Lean on the wall and squat. This can prevent the beginner from injury. However, leaning on the wall may limit the location and the environment.

To overcome the shortcomings of the conventional ways for squat exercise, the present invention provides an apparatus for squat exercise to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for squat exercise that can assist a user with squatting.

The apparatus for squat exercise has a base, a fixed tube, a movable tube, a seat, a shell, two surrounding pillars, two fixing pillars, and at least one elastic rope. The fixed tube is mounted on the base. The movable tube is mounted around the fixed tube, and has an abutting portion formed on an outer surface of the movable tube. The seat is mounted at a top end of the movable tube. The shell has a bottom end mounted on the base. The two surrounding pillars are mounted on the inner surface of the shell. The two fixing pillars are mounted on the inner surface of the shell. The at least one elastic rope has two ends respectively fixed to the two fixing pillars, and the at least one elastic rope is wound on and abuts the two surrounding pillars.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for squat exercise in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus for squat exercise in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of the apparatus for squat exercise in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view in partial sectional view of the apparatus for squat exercise in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an operational side view in partial section of the apparatus for squat exercise in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view in partial section of the apparatus for squat exercise in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an operational seat side view of the apparatus for squat exercise in FIG. 1 showing the height of the seat being adjusted; and

FIG. 8 is an operational side view of the apparatus for squat exercise in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an apparatus for squat exercise in accordance with the present invention comprises a base 10, a fixed tube 20, a movable tube 30, a seat 40, a shell 50, two surrounding pillars 60, two fixing pillars 70, and at least one elastic rope 80.

The base 10 is a plate and has a top surface, a fixing mount 11, and multiple latches 12. The fixing mount 11 is disposed on the top surface of the base 10. The fixing mount 11 is used to connect with the fixed tube 20. The multiple latches 12 are used to connect with the shell 50.

With reference to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the shell 50 is divided into a right housing and a left housing and has a bottom end. The bottom end of the shell 50 is fixed to the base 10. The right housing has multiple sockets. The left housing has multiple sockets whose positions correspond to the positions of the sockets of the right housing. The sockets of the right housing and the sockets of the left housing are connected with the two surrounding pillars 60 and the two fixing pillars 70. Specifically, the multiple sockets are mounted around two ends of the two surrounding pillars 60 and the two fixing pillars 70. The height of the two fixing pillars 70 is lower than the height of the two surrounding pillars 60. Furthermore, the shell 50 may be made in one piece, or the shell 50 may be assembled by means of channels, latches, or screws.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixed tube 20 is mounted on the base 10 erectly. The movable tube 30 is mounted around the fixed tube 20, and the movable tube 30 may be moved relative to the fixed tube 20 axially. Specifically, the fixed tube 20 is mounted through the fixing mount 11 of the base 10. The fixed tube 20 is a circular tube and has an outer surface and a slide. The slide is formed on the outer surface of the fixed tube 20. The movable tube 30 is a circular tube and has an inner surface and a protruding block. When the movable tube 30 is mounted around the fixed tube 20, the protruding block of the movable tube 30 is mounted in the slide of the fixed tube 20, and this may prevent the movable tube 30 from rotating relative to the fixed tube 20. The movable tube 30 and the fixed tube 20 are not limited to be circular in shape, the movable tube 30 and the fixed tube 20 may be square tubes, and the movable tube 30 still may not rotate relative to the fixed tube 20 without the slide and the protruding block.

Furthermore, the fixed tube 20 has a stop device 21, a bottom end of the movable tube 30 selectively abuts the stop device 21, and this may limit the path of the movable tube 30. In this embodiment, the stop device 21 is an annular ring, and is mounted around and fixed on the outer surface of the fixed tube 20. The stop device 21 also may be a protruding block fixed on the outer surface of the fixed tube 20.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, two ends of each one of the at least one elastic rope 80 are respectively fixed to the two fixing pillars 70, and the at least one elastic rope 80 surrounds and abuts the two surrounding pillars 60. The movable tube 30 has an abutting portion 31 formed on the outer surface of the movable tube 30. The at least one elastic rope 80 is located below the abutting portion 31, and the abutting portion 31 selectively downwardly abuts the at least one elastic rope 80.

Specifically, in this embodiment, two rings are respectively mounted at two ends of each of the at least one elastic rope 80, and the two rings are respectively mounted around the two fixing pillars 70. Each surrounding pillar 60 has at least one pulley 61, and the at least one pulley 61 is rotatably mounted around each surrounding pillar 60. The at least one elastic rope 80 is wound on and abuts the at least one pulley 61, so that the surface of each elastic rope 80 can be displaced relative to the surrounding pillars 60 by the pulleys 61 during stretching, and this can prevent the strength of the at least one elastic rope 80 being restricted by friction. The two ends of each elastic rope 80 can be fixed on the base 10 or the shell 50 without using the rings, and the fixing effect can also be achieved.

Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 6, the abutting portion 31 has a protruding pillar 311 and a limit slice 312. The protruding pillar 311 has two ends. One of the two ends of the protruding pillar 311 is mounted on the outer surface of the movable tube 30, and a bottom surface of the protruding pillar 311 is an arced surface. The limit slice 312 is formed at the other end of the protruding pillar 311 of the movable tube 30. The at least one elastic rope 80 is wound on and abuts the arced surface of the protruding pillar 311, and the at least one elastic rope 80 selectively abuts the limit slice 312. The arced surface of the protruding pillar 311 may decrease the friction between the protruding pillar 311 and the elastic rope 80. The limit slice 312 is disposed to prevent the at least one elastic rope 80 from moving away from the bottom surface of the protruding pillar 311 due to the sliding displacement. The limit slice 312 can be any structure capable of achieving the desired effect.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 7, the seat 40 is mounted at a top end of the movable tube 30, and the height of the seat 40 is adjustable. Specifically, in this embodiment, the movable tube 30 has a threaded hole formed through a top end of the movable tube. The seat 40 has a thread rod 41 mounted at a bottom surface of the seat 40. The thread rod 41 is screwed with the threaded hole of the movable tube 30, and the height of the seat 40 can be adjusted by rotating the seat 40. The way of connecting and adjusting the height of the seat 40 and the movable tube 30 is not limited to this, but may also be a method of achieving the same effect by sliding and adjusting with a pin.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, when the apparatus for squat exercise in accordance with the present invention is in use, the height of the seat 40 and the movable tube 30 may be adjusted in order to meet the physical statures of users. Place the base 10 on the ground, and then the buttocks of the user sit on the seat 40 to start the squatting action.

The initial state of the apparatus for squat exercise in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 4, wherein the abutting portion 31 is located between the two surrounding pillars 60, and the abutting portion 31 moves upward and downward with the movable tube 30. The abutting portion 31 abuts the at least one elastic rope 80 downwardly, and the at least one elastic rope 80 is wound on and abuts the two surrounding pillars 60 to shape as an M shape, and the movable tube 30 and the stop device 21 are disposed at a spaced interval. The pressed state of the apparatus for squat exercise in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 5, the relationship between the abutting portion 31 and the two surrounding pillars 60 and the elastic rope 80 is the same as that in the initial state. The movable tube 30 downwardly abuts against the stop device 21 on the fixed tube 20 due to the force applied by the user, and this is the end of the downward movement of the movable tube 30, so as to prevent the user from falling down and unstable posture.

The advantage of this invention is that by using the seat 40 to prevent the user from falling down due to the center of gravity during the squatting action, the seat 40 and the movable tube 30 are relatively adjustable to conform to the body shape and posture of the user, and the elasticity of the at least one elastic rope 80 can assist the user to restore the posture to avoid knee muscle injury caused by insufficient muscle strength, and the overall small size allows the user, free from spatial limitations, to select a fitness place according to personal preferences without relying on empty walls.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for squat exercise comprising: a base; a fixed tube mounted on the base erectly; a movable tube mounted around the fixed tube, axially movably connected to the fixed tube, and having an abutting portion formed on an outer surface of the movable tube; a seat mounted at a top end of the movable tube; a shell having a bottom end mounted on the base, and an inner surface; two surrounding pillars mounted on the inner surface of the shell; two fixing pillars mounted on the inner surface of the shell, a height of the two fixing pillars being lower than a height of the two surrounding pillars; and at least one elastic rope, each one of the at least one elastic rope having two ends respectively fixed to the two fixing pillars, wound on and abutting the two surrounding pillars and located below and selectively abutting the abutting portion.
 2. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 1, wherein each surrounding pillar has at least one pulley rotatably mounted around the surrounding pillar.
 3. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat is mounted on the movable tube in a height-adjustable manner.
 4. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 2, wherein the seat is mounted on the movable tube in a height-adjustable manner.
 5. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 3, wherein the movable tube has a threaded hole formed through a top end of the movable tube, and the seat has a threaded rod mounted at a bottom surface of the seat and screwed with the threaded hole of the movable tube.
 6. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 4, wherein the movable tube has a threaded hole formed through a top end of the movable tube, and the seat has a threaded rod mounted at a bottom surface of the seat and screwed with the thread hole of the movable tube.
 7. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutting portion has a protruding pillar, the protruding pillar has two ends, one of the two ends of the protruding pillar is mounted on an outer surface of the movable tube, a bottom surface of the protruding pillar is a arced surface, and the at least one elastic rope abuts the arced surface.
 8. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 2, wherein the abutting portion has a protruding pillar, the protruding pillar has two ends, one of the two ends of the protruding pillar is mounted on an outer surface of the movable tube, a bottom surface of the protruding pillar is a arced surface, and the at least one elastic rope abuts the arced surface.
 9. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutting portion has a protruding pillar and a limit slice, the protruding pillar has two ends, one of the two ends of the protruding pillar is mounted on an outer surface of the movable tube, the limit slice is formed at the other end of the protruding pillar, the at least one elastic rope is wound on and abuts a bottom surface of the protruding pillar, and the at least one elastic rope selectively abuts outward the limit slice.
 10. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 2, wherein the abutting portion has a protruding pillar and a limit slice, the protruding pillar has two ends, one of the two ends of the protruding pillar is mounted on an outer surface of the movable tube, the limit slice is formed at the other end of the protruding pillar, the at least one elastic rope is wound on and abuts a bottom surface of the protruding pillar, and the at least one elastic rope selectively abuts outward the limit slice.
 11. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed tube has a stop device, and a bottom end of the movable tube selectively abuts the stop device.
 12. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixed tube has a stop device, and a bottom end of the movable tube selectively abuts the stop device.
 13. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fixed tube is a circular tube, and the stop device is an annular ring mounted on an outer surface of the fixed tube.
 14. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fixed tube is a circular tube, and the stop device is an annular ring mounted on an outer surface of the fixed tube.
 15. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 1, wherein two rings are respectively mounted at two ends of each one of the at least one elastic rope, and the two rings are respectively mounted around the two fixing pillars.
 16. The apparatus for squat exercise as claimed in claim 2, wherein two rings are respectively mounted at two ends of each one of the at least one elastic rope, and the two rings are respectively mounted around the two fixing pillars. 